The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (NAS for short) officially starts on Friday July 22 and ends on August 8. The sale is unique in that it discounts FRESH Fall and Winter merchandise right at the start of the new season for a period of two weeks. Prices go back up on August 9. But you can preselect for the sale in stores and online from July 13 to 21 if you’re a Nordstrom cardholder.

The NAS generates a lot of excitement, especially in Seattle, which is Nordstrom’s home base. The beauty of the sale is that it kickstarts the cold weather shopping season, and gets you thinking about how you want to dress in Fall and Winter. For many reasons I’m a HUGE fan of shopping at the beginning of a new retail season, and that’s why the NAS is my favourite sale of the year. 

If you do plan to shop the NAS this year, here are some tips to help you get the most out of the experience:

• The NAS catalogue shows an extremely small section of what is on sale. A small Nordstrom store will also have a limited assortment. But don’t let that put you off. You’ll see the fullest assortment online, which is available to cardholders on July 14 and everyone on July 22. 

• The size of the sale can be OVERWHELMING. As a result, you might take one look and feel that there is nothing to buy. This is an extremely common feeling, and is precisely where I come in. I get to know the sale merchandise intimately by shopping the preselections with clients. After fitting many items onto many clients I can help YLF readers by pointing out the intricate details of style, colour, fabric and fit.

• The smaller sizes run out first because size curves are deliberately stocked that way. Buy them as soon as you see them. That said, sizes can come back into stock, so keep on checking your favourite items online.

• Focus on pricier pieces. As I say to all my clients, the NAS is the time to purchase “the good stuff” at excellent prices. I bought my Burberry coat at the NAS a few years ago and it’s been a brilliant piece that will stand the test of time.

• Shop with a plan, BUT keep an open mind. The more time and thought you put into the NAS, the better the results. Do a little wardrobe planning upfront and you’ll make more informed shopping decisions. Identify wardrobe holes, items that need duplication, and the wardrobe categories in your cold weather wardrobe that you’d like to refresh. Think across all price points, colours, fabrications, silhouettes, and areas of your lifestyle. Be open to wild card purchases that can change the landscape of your wardrobe because they often become unexpected workhorses. Think of statement pieces AND simple wardrobe essentials. (Note: Do not stress about planning too much upfront. A little upfront thought is sufficient so that you don’t come home with two more pairs of black ankle booties when you already have six pairs in your closet at home). 

• Shop with a budget. I’ve found that setting a budget for the sale — and sticking to it — keeps me focused and appreciative of the treasures that follow me home. 

• Don’t forget to shop the smaller departments. My clients also tend to do really well in the underwear, sleepwear, activewear, accessory, home wear and mens wear departments during the sale. 

• Ask for YLF help and guidance throughout the sale. The forum has a separate section dedicated to the NAS, so feel free to ask questions about items you want to purchase or have purchased whenever you need to. Our forum members will chime in with engaged and supportive replies, and I will chime in when I can. I collect lots of insider information about the items, so shout when you need assistance. 

The NAS is well timed because it’s around my birthday. Since Greg takes me shopping for my birthday, I’ve already thought about the look I want to emulate for Fall and Winter and bought items that I don’t need to buy at the sale. For example, I shan’t be shopping for bottoms because I just got two pairs of pants for my birthday (the exact items are represented in the collection). I can wear them year round in Seattle by switching out the seasonal support act. 

Nordstrom

Rag & Bone 'Grace' Wide Leg Crop Pants

$350.00 $139.97

Sale

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26

Neiman Marcus

Cropped Flare Trousers, Midnight

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16

After a little soul searching and analysis, I’ve decided to add a graphic element back into my style. But the look MUST stay soft, modern, crisp, dressy and retro. The new pairs of pants were a great starting point, and I’ll embellish the look from there with some NAS treasures. As a result, I’ll be prioritizing the following items as I shop the NAS for my own wardrobe:

1. Fun NON-classic white shirt
2. Sleek, black, low-heeled booties that are very fitted on the ankle
3. Low-heeled gold booties
4. Interesting knitwear
5. A pastel, rust or toffee coat
6. A winter dress 

I will not be shopping for blouses, skirts, bags, knitted tops, lingerie, active wear, scarves, leather jackets, loungewear or jeans. I have those areas covered. 

Many clients book their preselection shopping appointments with me well in advance so that they can get the most out of the sale. As a result, I will be working very long hours at the Seattle Nordstrom flagship store from today until the sale breaks on July 22. Of course, as I do every year, my top picks lists go out just after midnight when the sale breaks for all. I’ll catch you on the forum. Good hunting!

A new outfit from Janise Burrafato of Mama in Heels, whom we introduced to YLF in December 2014.

Distressed skinnies and a fitted cable-knit sweater form the basis of this polished casual Modern Classic look. The light blue denim paired with the ivory give it a Summer-y feel. The cable knit sweater and on trend pointy toe ballet flats with lace-up detailing add textural interest. The pretty footwear works well with the cuffed jeans because it closes the gap. While the pointy toe elongates the leg line. Janise finishes things off with oversized sunnies, a crossbody saddlebag in a punchy red — handy for walking Lola the dog — and a statement lipstick to match.

Harem pants with a subtle or dramatic dropped crotch point continue to trend on the outskirts of mainstream fashion. The silhouette is a very acquired taste, so it’s for good reason that it chugs along as an avant-garde fringe trend with a high longevity factor. My guess is that retail would incur massive losses if they put money behind the item as a mainstream look in countries outside the Middle East. 

More and more of my clients, friends, and our forum members are wearing casual knitted harem pants and enjoying the “just flattering enough” vibe. Funky, unique and very comfortable. Styles with great drape and tapered hems on the leg are key to making the silhouette look more structured and refined. Keeping harem pants outfits neutral seems to work particularly well, as does finishing off the vibe with an unfussy bag. 

When helping clients put together their casual Summer harem pants looks, there are are two fast fall back outfit combinations that always seem to work out. 

1.  Neutral Boxy Cropped Top & Chunky Sandals 

Keeping the top shorter adds structure to the outfit, and lengthens the leg shortening effect of the dropped crotch point. The fluid or oversized fit is important because it complements the volume of the harem pants. High-low hemlines will work as long as the front is quite short, or dramatically asymmetrical. Think knitted tops, gauzy Summer pullovers, or silky cropped blouses.

Chunky sandals with wide straps and a casual integrity are a slam dunk because they tend to ground the volume. Wedges, flatforms or flats get my top vote.

2. Denim Jacket, Tee & Sneakers

Combine harem pants with a fairly fluid untucked or semi-tucked T-shirt. Finish off the look with a denim jacket. The semi-tuck of the shirt, the cropped length and scrunched sleeves of the jacket all add structure to the outfit. Sneakers are trendy so why not wear a non-athletic, fashionable pair with harem pants.

I love harem pants, but prefer to wear them in a dressy and woven black silk instead of a casual knit. Mine are a lot shorter than what you see here, and because they are dressy, they work with a daintier shoe. My formula for tops and toppers is just the same though. I wear fluid and short knitwear and blouses with cropped jackets to complete my harem pants outfits.  

Over to you. Have you warmed up to harem pants, and how do you like to style them?

Topshop’s low heeled silver Jolene pumps became instant wardrobe workhorses because they’re extremely comfortable, and they can be combined with most things in my wardrobe. They make most outfits look more fashionable, and are eight hour shopping shoes. What a find. 

Unfortunately, they scuff very easily, leaving black marks on the silver leather each time I wear them. The pointy toes were black in no time at all. I tried removing the scuffs with nail polish remover, which was disastrous because it took even more of the silver off the shoe. 

Then I tried applying a little silvery Kyoto Pearl nail polish – a colour I regularly wear on my toenails — and it’s definitely taken the edge off. The nail polish does not remove the black scuff marks completely, but it does make them more tonal and therefore less visible. No more black tips on the points of the shoes. 

Nordstrom

Topshop 'Jolene' Pump (Women)

$80.00

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20

Amazon

OPI OPI Nail Lacquer, # NL L03 Kyoto Pearl, 0.5 Ounce

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5

You need to apply about three layers of nail polish, and wait for each layer to dry before you apply the next one. Fixing the scuffs of my shoes this way has definitely made me wear them more often because now I don’t feel like I have save them. I’ve also duplicated them so that I have a fresh un-scuffed pair to wear next year.